Transgender man shares realities of trying to transition as ‘poor person,’ forced to keep breasts

Transgender man speaks out on the reality of transitioning as a poor person without any job or state insurance. He revealed how he had to maintain his breasts due to the fact that it was too expensive to get them removed. 

The physical transition of a male from female or male to a woman usually requires two operations – one in the chest and one in the genital. These surgeries can cost thousands.

Adonis Zeigler (19 years old) is now transgender and reveals the severe consequences these can have on his financial health. 

Adonis from Ohio began his transition from male to female in 2017. However, he has not had any surgery to alter his body.    

He says that he gets asked questions like “You’re a boob,” and “You’re a slob.”[What the f**k]”Are you?” “Are you a man?” and “I am confused. Why do you bear a beard?” 

Talking out: Transgender man opens up about his struggles to transsexualize as someone who is ‘poor’ without a job or state insurance.

Adonis Zeigler (19 years old) revealed that he had to retain his breasts as he could not afford to have them surgically removed.

In a TikTok video, he spoke about the subject. One person asked him why he kept them. He replied, “I didn’t.” He replied, “I didn’t.” 

Then he answered one of those questions in an now-viral TikTok clip.  

“Why would you want to keep them?” The clip was written by Adonis. ‘I didn’t. I am only 19. I come from a poor background and am currently only 19.

‘Not every [transmasculine]One is often blessed with supportive families, privileged parents and lucrative business connections to be able to have top-quality surgery early in life. Now stop f**king asking us unless you’re footing the bill.’

‘Real tired of this s**t,’ he captioned the video, which has been viewed more than four million times since it was posted earlier this month.

A viewer asked Adonis to get to work after he said so. Adonis, who is a non-binary male, replied and showed another clip explaining that he recently had to give up his abusive job because of its ‘inconsistent hour, poor management and inconsistencies in pay.

He said, “I used to have a job but decided not to continue it as I felt abused at that place of work.”

“I was able to save a lot of money, but I’ve been constantly beaten back over the last year and half.”

Adonis explained that when he started his transition process at the age of 15, he was allowed to use hormones due to his dad’s union job. It was also covered by his insurance.

“We were still poor but he was able to get me hormones through union benefits. That was until he lost the job. He said, “I haven’t been on hormones for many years,” he added.

Adonis stated that he often gets asked questions such as, “You’re a boob,” etc.[What the f**k]”Are you?” “Are you a man?” and “I am confused. Why do you bear a beard?”

Adonis said that one viewer suggested he should “get to work” after he said that. Adonis who describes himself as non-binary, stated that he had to leave his abusive job due to poor management.

Buzzfeed interviewed the 19-year old to tell Buzzfeed that his only motivation for allowing him to transition was his mental illness.

He said that not even years of therapy could stop my self-destructive tendencies, and it would only worsen my grades.

He now works for himself as a freelancer artist, making $200 per week. He has also lost contact with his father.  

“I have no contact with my father, and I do not have any mother.” On TikTok, he said that he didn’t ask his parents to assist him with the matter and even did not expect them.

I didn’t expect anyone else to help me. I did not post that message asking for or looking for assistance. It’s something that I have struggled with for many years.

“I am afraid that my work, savings, and then being hit by an unexpected emergency will make it difficult for me to transition.

Healthline estimates that top surgery for males and females can run between $5,000 to $10,000. To increase breast size, doctors may perform reconstructive surgery. This involves saline and silicone implants being placed on the chest.

The cost of male to female ‘top surgery’ is anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000. It involves the removal breast tissue in order for the chest to reflect a masculine, flat appearance.

The cost of ‘Bottom surgery’, also called sex confirmation surgery, or sex reassignment, is usually between $6,000 and $50,000. However, in rare instances it may be as much as $150,000.

Three types of “bottom” surgeries are available: a vaginoplasty (or phalloplasty), a metoidioplasty and a phalloplasty.

He now works as a freelancer artist, making $200 per week. According to him, he has trouble saving money because he must spend his income on cars repairs and unexpected moves.

He stated that he was afraid of not being able to change because of his work, saving and then becoming hit by an emergency which I didn’t anticipate.

Buzzfeed added Adonis: “When it comes access to gender-affirming surgery, I wish people would think about the individual and their circumstance.

“Aside from the financial limitations for people who seek surgery, there are many situations where surgery is necessary not only for their mental health but also for their survival.

2021 was a terrible year for transhomicide statistics. I know from personal experience that I’ve felt unsafe and outed in my workplace, even though I was wearing a simple work uniform.

“Every trans individual is unique. Some trans people have the luck to be able to access what they require quickly. This makes my heart happy because their joy has become the standard image for trans lives.

“But, transgender people often don’t have the same opportunities and their struggles are rarely discussed.”